Even though Alex didn''t say it outright, my instinct told me this was the reason.


    When I saw Lucas, I was genuinely surprised. "Luke? What are you doing here?"


    "I''m the project lead for this coboration. Of course, I had toe," Lucas said while cing the contract on the table. "Serena, are you the one in charge on your side?"


    I hadn''t fully processed it yet. At first, I nodded, then I quickly shook my head. "I''m just the assistant. The actual project lead has to oversee the R&D department, so I''ll be handling things temporarily. But Luke, how did you end up as the project lead?"


    Even though Lester hadn''t followed through on his promise to make Lucas thepany''s president, he had at least given him the vice president position. There was no reason for him to still be running business deals personally.


    Lucas spread his hands slightly. "I didn''t have much of a choice."


    I understood immediately. His situation hadn''t improved much, and he still had little control over his own circumstances.


    I felt a bit helpless, but Lucas didn''t seem particrly upset. "At first, I thought it was frustrating, but now that I know you''re the one I''ll be working with, I actually think this might not be so bad, after all."


    I chuckled. "Guess I can''t call you Luke anymore. Should I start calling you Mr. Schneider?"


    Lucas waved his hand. "Please don''t, Serena. I much prefer it when you call me Luke. You have no idea. Everyone calls me that at the office, but somehow, it always sounds so sarcastic."


    As he spoke, his eyes were filled with exhaustion and weariness. It was clear that his position in Schneider Group wasn''t easy. I could only smile and try tofort him.


    "Don''t overthink it. Maybe you''re just reading too much into it. There are always people who genuinely respect you, but there will also be those who act condescending no matter who they''re dealing with."


    Hearing my words, Lucas'' eyes lit up, and he suddenly grabbed my hand. "Serena, thank you. You really are such an important person to me."


    I let out an awkwardugh and pulled my hand back. "Isn''t it normal for friends to support each other? Luke, did youe here to sign the contract today?"


    I reached out for the contract, but he was quicker, swiftly pulling it away. "No rush. Let''s grab something to eat first."


    I hesitated. I hade here with a task toplete, and there were still other things at the office waiting for me.


    "It''s lunchtime anyway. Even if you go back now, you''d still have to eat. Don''t tell me Mr. Hastings doesn''t even let you take lunch breaks?" A faint smirk yed on Lucas'' lips.


    After thinking it over, I finally stood up. "Alright then."


    The contract wasn''t going anywhere. I could sign it after lunch just the same.


    With that in mind, I followed him out of the office.


    Over lunch, he told me more about his struggles at Schneider Group Xena constantly made things difficult for him, deliberately causing issues in his contracts, so he had to review every single word himself.


    The Schneider family had given him an executive position but refused to let him dive in the family estate. In response, he bought a mobile vi right next to the Schneider


    residence, which infuriated Lester.


    He was no longer the helpless, pitiful person he once was. He had learned to fight back, to protect himself. But for some reason, as I listened to him talk my mind kept wandering. I couldn''t focus at all.


    "Serena?"


    I snapped back to reality and found that he was looking at me with concern.


    "What''s wrong?" He looked a little worried. "Have you not been sleeping welltely?"


    I forced a sheepish smile. "Probably. Where were you in your story just now?"


    "I was saying that I have something to take care of today, so I''ll have to go. We can sign the contract next time." He was already standing up.